Just wondering if anyone out there practices this and what exactly the technique is? I've tried to find explanations of it but they seem very strange about giving it out, seems like they want you to pay for the course and what not. I know it's some kind of mantra technique but what really distinguishes it from other meditation?

I practiced TM for many years, and it was my first foray into a spiritual discipline. When I learned it in 1973 it cost $35, and now, from what I understand, it's $1500 (a couple of years ago it cost $2500 to learn it!) I don't think the price is justified, but the TM organization wants people to think that they offer something that nobody else can. As for me I think they are completely off base about that and are misleading the public with their claims of what it can do for you.

Yes, it's a mantra based meditation, and they claim that the mantras are meaningless sounds that are used in a certain way that only the TM organization teaches. But in fact, the mantras are bij mantras (seed mantras) based on names of Hindu dieties. That's deceptive, and a lot of people became upset when they found out they were lied to. They also told the public that everyone got a unique mantra; that was a lie as well. There are only 16 mantras, and they are given out to people based on their gender and age.

When I learned it we were told that the technique would lead to "cosmic consciousness" (enlightenment) within 7 years if faithfully practiced twice daily - another deception. Then they came out with "advanced techniques" to "speed up your evolution", and people were subtly manipulated into getting them, paying a hefty fee for each one. Then they came out with a new super-duper set of techniques called the "sidhis" that supposedly would "speed up your evolution" even faster and lead to the attainment of paranormal powers, including levitation. These techniques were very expensive and didn't lead anywhere as far I'm concerned and only served to deplete bank accounts.

In fact, Maharishi basically was using people like guinei pigs, tinkering with how to use all of these techniques, techniques which he himself didn't practice. He was once asked what meditation he practiced to become enlightened and he said "something else." HUH? As a result a lot of people kind of went bonkers because of their meditation.

However, all that being said, I will add this: The basic meditation, when used intelligently (no more than twice a day for no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time), is actually pretty good. If you can afford it and want a basic meditation then that's just fine. But don't get drawn into the sales pitch and hype about all that other stuff. Just learn it and do it and don't get any of their other techniques or products (yes, they will try to sell you all sorts of goodies to consume to "speed up your evolution" - that's one of their pet phrases, don't fall for it). In other words, stay away from the organization; it's all hype designed to suck as much money out of you as they can.

Here's how it's done - they give you a mantra at your initiation and make sure you pronounce it correctly and then they instruct you on how to mentally repeat it. By the way, you are told to never speak it aloud or to reveal it to anyone else - they say speaking it out loud weakens its effectiveness; I suspect they don't want people to discover that other people have the same mantra. You sit down, close your eyes for about a minute, and then you begin to think the mantra as effortlessly and spontaneously as you think any other thought (this is the first key) and let it lead you inward to subtler levels of awareness, and when you discover that you are thinking other thoughts you return to thinking the mantra easily (this is the other key). As you get "deeper" the mantra may change, so let that happen - it will naturally fade in clarity. In other words, don't try to manipulate it, concentrate on it, or keep it clear in your mind; just mentally repeat it easily so that it's more like a faint idea. It's natural for thoughts to arise on their own, so when that happens don't let it upset you; instead, just return to the mantra again. After 15 or 20 minutes you stop thinking it and remain seated with eyes closed for a couple of minutes, stretch and move about on your chair if necessary, and think about other things, then open your eyes and return to other activities.

Some basic things to keep in mind: don't meditate right after eating, don't force the mantra, and don't worry about the breath becoming very subtle - at times it will seem as if you aren't breathing at all, so don't panic if that happens, and don't come out of meditation too quickly,.

Instead of paying a lot of money for a special mantra based on a Hindu deity, choose something simple for yourself with one or two syllables, something neutral would be best so that your mind doesn't get drawn into the meaning behind it. It's all about how it's repeated and how to return to it when you discover you've strayed off into other thoughts. There, I just saved you a bundle of money. Now do you see why they are so evasive in giving you more specifics about it?

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Not melodious enough and too many syllables. Use something with a softer sound - nothing with a hard k in it.

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I practiced TM and the Siddhi techniques for many years. I agree with most of what Kikki wrote about it being overcommercialised and expensive. However I disagree with one important point. The TM siddhi techniques are very powerful. They took me beyond the states available through the simple TM technique. The reason being that they facilitated an experience of expanded consciousness amidst activity of the body, instead of only when the body and mind are passive. The experience was much more intense than that from TM alone, and the bliss and clarityextended for hours afterwards.

phillipm, just curious, why are you on this site? What prompted you to specifically come here?

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I am replying in this forum after a long gap .Coming to TM , Kiki has given enough inputs and it is better people follow what he says .There are lot of people ready to pay anything for "instant enlightenment" and many new Organizations have sprung up in different form offering solutions for the same provided you are willing to shell out lot of money .There are 2 things there :1) Doing meditation for increasing your concentration , mental powers of focus etc like Visualising etc and these are used by people in sports , business , politics to enhance their skills and productivity .These are all mind based meditations and many times "Mantras" or "certain phrases" are used for getting the desired objective . More than calling these as meditations , it is better to call them as concentration exercises . They are effective for the concerned objective and nothing wrong in that .2) The second is where you do not concentrate but "understand the content" of your entire mind or though process . This is a form of inquiry and this is what many non dual masters like Eckhart Tolle , J krishnamurti , Osho , Ramana Maharashi etc have talked about .In these you do not strengthen the mind but lighten the mind i.e understand your own mental conditioning ,thought process so that you do not fall in to a reactive mental trap .These sort of meditations will give you more peace and a silent mind .This forum is dedicated to these types of teachings , meditations only .Conclusion : Nothing wrong in practicing concentration exercises for few minutes daily using a mantra , breath or any phrase to allow the mind to some rest after a hectic day of activity but one must be careful about what one's primary motive is . Is it mental peace or mental efficiency ?